Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Another Bit of Wonder

When Stephen
Thompson showed up in the UFC just over four years ago and
lamped Dan
Stittgen with a beautiful Brazilian kick to the dome, there
were questions if the karate stylist would be an exciting flash in
the pan or a real welterweight contender. After Saturday night in
Ottawa, we know the answer.

Since his Zuffa debut back at UFC
143 in Feburary 2012, Thompson has steadily improved and
climbed up the 170-pound division. Last July, his spinning hook
kick knockout of Jake
Ellenberger put him in these rankings. In February, “Wonderboy”
cemented his place among the division's elite by absolutely
decimating former champion Johny
Hendricks.

If there were any remaining questions about Thompson sticking
around the top of the division, they were answered in
Ottawa on June 18 when the South Carolina native dominated
former title challenger Rory
MacDonald from bell-to-bell and firmed up his imminent
contendership, as he will now wait for the winner of the Robbie
Lawler-Tyron
Woodley title clash at UFC
201.

This edition of the Sherdog.com rankings also introduces a unique
situation. In the past, we have determined an eligible fighter's
ranking based on where they have contested their last two bouts.
“Cowboy” Donald
Cerrone has looked outstanding in his first two UFC
welterweight bids, but he clearly remains one of the best
155-pounders in the world with no qualms about returning to the
lightweight division.

As a result, Cerrone may find himself on our 170-pound bubble some
day soon, but even with consecutive welterweight bouts, we've opted
to leave him amongst the eligible lightweight elite. After all,
Cerrone could very well find a way to sneak in two consecutive
155-pound fights before 2016 is said and done.